2012 Forty Under 40 Winner: Anthony Nguyen

Friday, March 16, 2012 7:00 AM

Anthony Nguyen

Mentor: Mike McCoy

••

Age 32 | Assistant vice president/ bank manager, Wells Fargo Bank NA For Tony Nguyen, helping people to succeed financially is his way of giving back through his career. He’s equally dedicated to helping others in the community.

The older of two sons born to first-generation immigrants from Vietnam, Nguyen recalls how others’ generosity enabled him to succeed from an early age in Des Moines.

“We went to Catholic schools, not because we could afford it, but because others lent a helping hand to get us up and going,” he said.

After graduating from Drake University, Nguyen began his career at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Inc. in 2003 as a mortgage closer. In the past nine years, he has been promoted four times within the company, most recently to manager of Wells Fargo’s Urbandale branch. He is involved in numerous civic and volunteer organizations, among them the Iowa Asian Alliance as its current chairman.

“He is earnest and thoughtful about all that he does,” wrote Christopher McDonald, senior counsel with Aviva USA, and San Wong, director of the Iowa Department of Human Rights, in a nomination letter. “This, coupled with his affable and collaborative nature, has earned him a reputation for being a strong and inspirational leader who is able to motivate and mobilize others into action.”

He was elected to the board of the Iowa Asian Alliance in 2008 and last year was chosen to lead the organization as its chairman.

“Tony’s leadership style of collaboration is a culture that is creating new ideas,” wrote Stanley Lam, who serves with Nguyen on the Asian Alliance’s board. “With his vision, we have already created a more defined mission where community outreach is a focus.”

Nguyen said community involvement gives him a lot of enjoyment.

“It’s really helping others to grow in their careers,” he said.

Nguyen met the woman he later married, Arin, at Drake. They have a daughter, Maddie.

Five reasons he’s a 40:

• Rapidly promoted to increasingly responsible roles in his profession.

• Serves as chairman of the board of the Iowa Asian Alliance.

• Member of Wells Fargo President’s Council.

• Received Wells Fargo’s Retailer Impact Award for 2011.

• Board member of the Central Iowa Leadership Committee.

Fun fact:

He’s a black belt in tae kwon do. Though he doesn’t practice martial arts anymore, “I bet I could still do a couple of moves.”